HB 69 amends Pennsylvania's Cancer Drug Repository Program to allow unused, unopened cancer prescription drugs to be redistributed to indigent patients through approved pharmacies. The bill updates definitions (e.g., clarifying "cancer drug" includes drugs treating cancer or its side effects), requires drugs to be in original sealed packaging with unexpired dates, and mandates the State Board of Pharmacy to maintain a list of approved participating pharmacies. It also adds requirements for annual reporting and establishes procedures for restocking and dispensing drugs while maintaining safety standards. This directly affects indigent cancer patients seeking affordable medication and pharmacies participating in the program.
This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates June 23, 2026, as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day to highlight a rare genetic form of epilepsy that affects approximately 20,000 people in the United States. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to raise public awareness about the condition, which often begins in infancy with temperature-sensitive seizures and can lead to developmental delays. By recognizing this specific date, the resolution aims to honor medical professionals and families impacted by the disease while acknowledging the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive care.
HB 507, the Baby Food Protection Act, requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to test all baby food batches for toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. It sets strict limits: baby food cannot exceed 10 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic, 5 ppb for lead or cadmium, or 2 ppb for mercury. All tested baby food must display labels showing the exact metal levels found in the batch. The bill also directs the Department to adopt lower federal limits if set by the FDA and expires if federal law matches its requirements.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to update definitions and provisions related to health insurance coverage. It clarifies how certain government health programs are defined for insurance policies, specifically regarding prescription drug coverage and continuation of coverage for employees who lose their jobs. The legislation also updates the legal definition of a hospital to include facilities operating alcoholism or drug addiction treatment programs and establishes a Long-Term Care Partnership Program to help individuals manage future long-term care costs.
HB 2427 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to regulate how insurers cover drugs for stage four, advanced metastatic cancer. The bill prohibits insurance policies from requiring patients to fail a different medication or prove a history of failure before approving coverage for a new drug, provided the drug is FDA-approved and aligns with current clinical best practices. This legislation also repeals the previous Fair Access to Cancer Treatment Law while ensuring that all existing rules, contracts, and decisions made under that law remain in effect.
This Pennsylvania bill designates June 2026 as Aphasia Awareness Month to promote public understanding of aphasia, a language disorder often caused by strokes or brain injuries. The resolution aims to highlight the condition's impact on individuals and their communities while encouraging better diagnosis and treatment. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness within the state.
This resolution designates June 10, 2026, as "Just Be You Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor Lynzi Allen, the author of the book "Just Be You." The bill aims to promote self-confidence, celebrate diversity, and support mental health awareness among young people by encouraging schools, communities, and social media users to participate in related events and campaigns. While the text outlines plans for future activities like school assemblies and digital initiatives, the resolution itself serves only to officially name the date and express encouragement for a statewide movement focused on inclusion.
This bill designates June 15, 2026, as 'Elora Joyce Khan Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day' in Pennsylvania to honor a young resident and raise public attention to pediatric brain cancer. The resolution aims to promote education, compassion, and research into the disease while recognizing the Elora J. Khan Foundation's work supporting affected families. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of awareness and advocacy for children battling brain tumors.
This bill allocates state funding to support the operation of Pennsylvania's professional licensure boards and the State Athletic Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It provides $68.4 million from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, along with separate restricted funds totaling approximately $13.5 million for the State Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, and the State Athletic Commission. The legislation ensures these organizations have the necessary resources to carry out their licensing and regulatory functions without treating these funds as general government appropriations.
HB 1261 bans PFAS chemicals (harmful substances linked to health risks) in firefighting protective gear, requiring safer alternatives for all new equipment. It creates grant programs to help fire companies replace PFAS-containing gear and mandates that state-funded equipment purchases must be PFAS-free. The bill also imposes penalties on entities failing to comply with the PFAS restrictions. These changes directly protect firefighters and guide fire companies' equipment procurement under Pennsylvania law.
